Cops ejected 'impeccable' customers, claims host

A licensee has questioned why police forced "impeccably" behaved football fans to leave his pub on a match day.

Around 14 police vans, some with dog units, descended on the Railway, at Irlam, Greater Manchester, and about 80 Stoke City fans were ordered to leave and not attend the game against Manchester United.

Fans were kept inside the Punch pub by police for about two and a half hours, said manager Derek Styles.

Police used new powers from Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act, which lets officers move people at risk of causing alcohol-related disorder from a specific area.

Police have apologised to some fans after they contacted human rights campaign group Liberty.

Officers had "intelligence about planned violence between hooligan groups".

But in a letter to police, Styles said fans' behaviour was "impeccable" and he had "no reason whatsoever to suspect there may be trouble in and around my pub".

"I've been a pub licensee for more than 20 years and am familiar with behaviour and body language that may indicate trouble. But on this occasion the atmosphere was relaxed and calm."

Assistant chief constable Justine Curran said: "Our priority is to keep Greater Manchester communities safe from harm. I am happy that all action taken was necessary to do this.

"We were faced with intelligence that about 80 fans were intent on causing trouble and we had a duty to keep public order.

"Subsequent detailed inquiries showed that a small proportion were not part of the group causing problems. We have apologised to them individually and will reimburse them for the cost of their match tickets."

She said a review into how Section 27 is used has been commissioned.